Somerset Integrated Resource

Project United States Department of Agriculture Notice of Proposed Action and Forest Service Opportunity to Comment

March 2019 Green Mountain National Forest Manchester Ranger District Towns of Dover, Glastenbury, Searsburg, Somerset, Stratton, Sunderland, Wardsboro, Wilmington, and Woodford Bennington and Windham Counties, Vermont

Shep’s Meadow - Somerset, Vermont

For Information Contact: Responsible Official: Jay Strand David Francomb, District Ranger Green Mountain National Forest Manchester Ranger District 99 Ranger Road Green Mountain National Forest Rochester, VT 05767 2538 Depot Street (802) 767-4261 (ext. 5522) Manchester Center, VT 05255 [email protected] [email protected]

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690- 7442; or (3) email: [email protected] . USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

This document can be made available in large print. Contact Jay Strand (802) 767-4261, ext. 5522; or Email: [email protected]

Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 2 1.1 Background ...... 2 1.2 Somerset Project Area ...... 2 1.3 Purpose of Scoping and Notice of Opportunity to Comment ...... 2 1.4 Forest Plan Direction ...... 3 1.5 Public Involvement and Project Development ...... 4 1.6 Pre-decisional Objection Process ...... 5 1.7 Decisions to be made by the Responsible Official ...... 5 1.8 Project Timeline ...... 5

2. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION ...... 6 2.1 Forest Habitat ...... 6 2.2 Timber Resource ...... 9 2.3 Fisheries and Water ...... 10 2.4 Soil and Wetlands ...... 10 2.5 Recreation ...... 10 2.6 Visual Quality ...... 12 2.7 Transportation (Roads and Infrastructure) ...... 12

3. PROPOSED ACTION ...... 13 3.1 Forest Habitat and Timber Resources ...... 13 3.2 Fisheries and Water ...... 20 3.3 Soil and Wetlands ...... 21 3.4 Recreation ...... 22 3.5 Visual Quality ...... 27 3.6 Transportation (Roads and Infrastructure) ...... 27

4. OTHER RESOURCE CONSIDERATION ...... 30

Appendix A1. Description of Harvest Treatment Groupings for Maps ...... A1-1 Appendix A2. Proposed Timber Treatments ...... A2-1 Appendix A3. Proposed Wildlife Habitat Treatments ...... A3-1 Appendix B. Existing National Forest Transportation System ...... B-1

Somerset Integrated Resource Project i Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Somerset Integrated Resource Project

USDA Forest Service Green Mountain National Forest, Manchester Ranger District

March 2019

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service is proposing the Somerset Integrated Resource Project on the Green Mountain National Forest, Manchester Ranger District. The project area is within Bennington and Windham Counties, Vermont primarily within the towns of Dover, Glastenbury, Searsburg, Somerset, Stratton, Wilmington, and Woodford, but also includes small portions of Sunderland and Wardsboro. The Somerset Integrated Resource Project (Somerset project) includes a variety of proposed management activities to achieve multiple resource goals, objectives, and desired future conditions as provided by direction in the 2006 Green Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, or Forest Plan.

The Somerset project proposal must follow regulations established by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) prior to proceeding with any activities. Compliance with NEPA includes public participation (scoping), the disclosure of environmental effects of proposed management activities, and preparation of a decision document which provides specific direction for project implementation. The environmental analysis for the proposed Somerset project will be documented in a site-specific environmental assessment.

1.2 Somerset Project Area The Somerset project area consists of approximately 71,161 acres located in several sub-watersheds of the Deerfield River and Lye Brook-Batten Kill watersheds in south/central Vermont. The project area boundary is defined by the following features (see Figure 1, Project Vicinity Map; and Map 1, Existing Condition): • North boundary: Kelly Stand Road (Forest Highway 6) • West boundary: the spine of the Green Mountains (Appalachian Trail/Long Trail) • South boundary: State Route 9 • East boundary: State Route 100

1.3 Purpose of Scoping and Notice of Opportunity to Comment We are soliciting your comments on all aspects of the proposed Somerset project during this 30-day opportunity for public comment. Your thoughtful input will help us identify issues related to the proposal, determine whether any alternatives need to be considered in detail, focus our effects analysis on resources of concern, and document the results in the environmental assessment as the basis for the responsible official to decide how to implement the project. Your comments can best be considered if they have a direct relationship to the proposed activities and include supporting reasons for any resource concerns. Directions for how to submit written comments are included in the Somerset project notice of proposed action and opportunity to comment cover letter.

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Figure 1. Project vicinity map

The project area consists of multiple land ownership and management responsibilities including the Forest Service, State of Vermont, Towns, and private entities (see Table 1).

Table 1. Land ownership and management within the Somerset project area Owner/Manager Acres1 Percent of Total USDA Forest Service 42,603 59.9 State of Vermont2 120 0.1 Town3 685 1.0 Land Trust4 9,809 13.8 Private 17,944 25.2 Total 71,161 100 1 Approximate 2 Woodford State Park and Billings Pond 3 Deerfield Valley Elementary School Forest, Leland & Grey Union High School Forest, Stephen Greene Town Forest, and Town of Wilmington watershed and park 4 Vermont Land Trust Easement (former TransCanada lands)

1.4 Forest Plan Direction The Somerset project is guided by management direction in the Green Mountain Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) approved by the Regional Forester in February 2006 (USDA Forest

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Service 20061). The Forest Plan is a programmatic document identifying the desired balance of multiple uses to meet public needs while providing the management framework for protecting, restoring, and enhancing natural resources on National Forest System lands.

The Somerset project management activities together define the proposed action and have been designed to move the existing condition of National Forest System lands within the project area toward the desired future conditions for each resource as defined in the Forest Plan. Each Management Area as defined in the Forest Plan has a major emphasis and desired future conditions while providing management direction to meet Forest Plan goals and objectives. Table 2 and the existing condition map (Map 1) display the Management Areas included within the Somerset project area.

Table 2. Management Areas within the project area Management Area Acres1 Percent of Total Diverse Forest Use 17,468 41 Diverse Backcountry 11,400 27 Remote Wildlife Habitat 6,142 14 Alpine Ski Area Expansion 422 1 Alpine Ski Areas 886 2 Appalachian National Scenic Trail 1,524 4 Ecological Special Area2 449 1 Wilderness2 4,312 10 Total 42,603 100 Eligible Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers3 4,836 n/a 1 Approximate 2 Grout Pond and Somerset Fen 3 Glastenbury Wilderness 4 Deerfield River and Wardsboro Brook are eligible recreational rivers; the Management Area applies to 1/4 mile each side of these rivers which overlays and runs through all other Management Areas, thus the acres are not reflected in the grand total

1.5 Public Involvement and Project Development Forest Service staff collected inventory data and conducted field reviews of resource conditions within the Somerset project area beginning in early 2017. Existing resource conditions compared to Forest Plan desired future conditions were documented in the Somerset Integrated Resource Project Landscape Assessment (USDA Forest Service 20182). The gaps between existing and desired conditions were used as a basis for identifying ideas for project management needs. Potential project management activities were shared at a May 2, 2018 public open house at Stratton Mountain Resort in Stratton, Vermont. Over 40 people participated by sharing information and feedback received was used to further develop proposed activities. Multiple conversations, field visits, and meetings with individuals and groups occurred throughout 2018 to better identify public needs and opportunities for management within the project area.

1 USDA Forest Service. 2006. Green Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). Eastern Region, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. February 2006. 164 p. plus appendices. Available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gmfl/landmanagement/planning/?cid=FSEPRD605029 2 USDA Forest Service. 2018. Somerset Integrated Resource Project Landscape Assessment. Eastern Region, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. February 2018. 111 p. Available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/nepa/108977_FSPLT3_4292532.pdf

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The culmination of public collaborative efforts, Forest Service site inventories, and review of resource conditions is reflected in the Somerset project proposed action. All management activities are designed to be in compliance with Forest Plan direction including goals, objectives, and Forest-wide and Management Area standards and guidelines.

1.6 Pre-decisional Objection Process The proposed Somerset project would implement the Forest Plan and thus is subject to subparts A and B under the 36 Code of Federal Regulations part 218. These regulations provide for a project level pre- decisional administrative review (objection) process. In order to be eligible to submit an objection to the project draft decision notice prior to implementation, timely submittal of specific written comments during the designated public comment period is required. This 30-day notice and comment period is the only opportunity for public comment for this project that fulfills this purpose.

1.7 Decisions to be made by the Responsible Official The District Ranger for the Manchester Ranger District is the responsible official for the Somerset project. The District Ranger will make the following decisions after reviewing the environmental assessment, supporting project record, and public comments received during the comment period:

• Determine whether the proposed action complies with Forest Plan direction including forest-wide and management area standards and guidelines • Determine whether a finding of no significant impact or an environmental impact statement is warranted based on the disclosure of effects in the environmental assessment

If no environmental impact statement is needed, the following decisions will be made:

• Determine whether the Somerset project will proceed as proposed or needs to be modified by an alternative to address issues • Determine if mitigation measures should be implemented as part of the project to ensure resource protection • Determine what monitoring requirements, if any, should be applied during or after project implementation

1.8 Project Timeline The Forest Service anticipates completing an environmental assessment and draft decision for this project by late summer 2019. A draft decision notice based on the environmental assessment will trigger the objection period for the project. The timing for the final project decision will depend on whether any objections are received but is anticipated to be no later than the end of 2019. Implementation of activities may begin after the final decision notice is signed by the responsible official.

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2. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION

The Forest Plan goals, objectives, and management direction for the desired future condition of resources are the primary drivers for defining the purpose of the Somerset project proposed action. The need for action is determined by the difference between the existing condition and desired future condition within the Somerset project area. The following sections provide the purpose of the Somerset project proposed action according to Forest Plan direction and the need for action based on the gap between the existing and desired conditions for each resource.

2.1 Forest Habitat Managing forest habitat for diversity is important to improve and maintain forest health. Diversity of habitat is critical to the many wildlife species found across the project area on both National Forest System and non-National Forest System (private, state, and town) lands. The project area also includes known wildlife travel corridors connecting large areas of habitat across various ownerships.

Forest Plan Goal 2 is to maintain and restore quality, amount, and distribution of habitats to produce viable and sustainable populations of native and desirable non-native plants and animals (Forest Plan, page 10). In order to contribute to this goal, the Forest Plan identifies forest habitat type composition and age class objectives to ensure diversity of composition, structure, and function is maintained or increased on the Green Mountain National Forest (Forest Plan, pages 10 to 12). While some of the composition and age class objectives can be met through natural processes, vegetation management is often used to restore and enhance diversity of habitat types and structure (Forest Plan, page 15). Vegetation management is also used to enhance habitats and features of particular value to certain plant and animal species where habitat is uncommon in the forest, such as aspen, birch, and upland openings. Within the Somerset project area, vegetation management actions would primarily occur within the Diverse Forest Use, Diverse Backcountry, and Remote Wildlife Habitat Management Areas where timber harvesting is allowed (Forest Plan, page 11).

A habitat management unit analysis completed for the Somerset project area applies Forest Plan habitat type composition and age class objectives at the site-specific scale. Specific habitat management unit objectives take into consideration the current condition and overall Forest Plan objectives, as well ecological conditions and long-term tendencies of ecosystems found in the project area. The difference between the existing forest habitat composition and age class and the habitat management unit objectives is the basis for identifying potential management activities to achieve desired conditions within the project area.

Tables 3 and 4 illustrate the following important gaps between the existing and desired future condition for habitat composition and age class within the Somerset project area: • A significant imbalance in desired composition among northern hardwood, mixed-wood, and softwood habitat types, with mixed-wood and softwood habitat substantially under-represented • A low abundance of aspen and birch habitat within areas suitable for management of this early successional habitat • An absence of oak forest habitat • The presence of non-native softwood plantations of red pine and Norway spruce • Permanent upland openings maintained for meadow and shrub wildlife habitat are below the minimum composition objective of one percent

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• An absence of regenerating age class (0 to 9 years old) across all habitats on suitable lands for timber management

Table 3. Comparison of existing habitat composition conditions with habitat management unit (HMU) objective ranges within the project area HMU Objective Existing Habitats (all Existing Habitats Habitat Type1 (all NFS lands) NFS lands) (suitable lands)2 acres percent acres percent acres percent3 Northern Hardwood 4,160-8,320 10-20 32,952 79 24,006 58 Mixedwood 24,950-29,100 60-70 3,796 9 3,207 8 Softwoods (spruce/ fir and 4,160-6,240 10-15 2,267 5 1,613 4 softwood plantation) Aspen/Birch 415-830 1-2 770 2 339 1 Open Uplands 415-830 1-2 192 <1 176 <1 Totals 41,581 100 29,350 1 Wetland habitats are excluded from the list of habitats presented here as they currently meet the desired future condition for composition in the project area 2 Represents habitat type abundance for all National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Somerset project area suitable for timber management; shown for context, as some habitat types (such as Aspen/Birch and Upland Openings) require active vegetation management to exist at the levels defined by the Forest Plan and project specific objectives 3 Percent of all NFS acres that are suitable acres of this habitat type

Table 4. Comparison of the existing regenerating age class (0 to 9 years) with habitat management unit objective range; and existing age class distribution for remaining age classes within the project area Age Class (Includes HMU Objective1 Existing Condition (all Existing Condition All Forested Habitat Types) NFS lands)2 (suitable lands)3 acres acres percent acres percent Regenerating (0 to 9 years) 1,172-3,298 0 0 0 0

Young 4,254 – 9,814 3,975 10 3,136 13 Mature 8,140 – 12,555 25,540 64 16,222 66 Old 1,158 – 8,765 10,270 26 5,258 21 1 Acre range represents potential natural vegetation of suitable National Forest System (NFS) lands assigned to an even-aged management status (60 to 80 percent of suitable lands), adjusted for conversions to or maintenance of existing aspen, birch, and openings 2 Condition across all forested NFS lands within the Somerset project area 3 Applies only to NFS lands suitable for timber management and assigned to an even-aged management status prior to project development

Hardwood/Mixed-wood/Softwood Habitat There is a need to address the substantial imbalance in the existing proportion of northern hardwood, mixed-wood, and softwood habitat types compared to the long-term composition objectives for the project area. Mixed-wood and softwood habitats are substantially under-represented compared to what would be expected within the range of natural variation. Enhancement of softwood seedlings, saplings, and small poles in areas with tendencies to move toward softwoods is needed to increase habitat diversity and help restore a more ecologically appropriate forest composition. Shifts in composition predicted as a result of climate change indicate conversion to mixed-wood and softwood stands should focus on sites with abundant and vigorous softwood regeneration, and sites which are cool, moist, or are otherwise topographically protected such as low areas, frost pockets, wetland edges, and deep draws and ravines.

Aspen and Birch Habitat There is a need to regenerate aspen and birch habitat on lands suitable for timber management within the project area. Although aspen and birch are present on the landscape, there is very little aspen and the majority (56 percent) of paper birch stands occur outside the suitable timber base. Both aspen and birch

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habitats are early successional forest types and cannot occur without a large disturbance event to expose mineral soil and provide abundant light. Additionally, aspen-birch habitats are short-lived and their continuing presence on the landscape is dependent on vegetation management activities that prevent succession to longer-lived habitats like mixedwood and softwood types.

Mature aspen is present in a few small groups scattered in the southern part of the project area. Many stands show diminished growth levels and are now ready to be harvested before saw log quality is reduced or the trees decline in economic value. Aspen sprouts from its roots when cut and is the most common way for species regeneration. These sprouts provide good early successional habitat for many species, particularly ruffed grouse. As aspen dies, opportunities to regenerate it by root sprouting are lost.

Oak Habitat There is a need to increase oak habitat at sites where conditions would support its growth. Inventories indicate the presence of low amounts of northern red oak in a few stands in the lower elevations, primarily in stands along the southeast and northeast edges of the project area. Oak requires frequent disturbance (such as fire or past firewood cutting practices) to establish seedlings and out-compete other tree regeneration. Silvicultural treatments can replicate the disturbance process to promote oak regeneration and subsequent growth into the forest canopy. Increasing the occurrence of northern red oak in areas where it has a high chance of survival under current climate conditions would increase resilience of the project area to future climate conditions.

Non-Native Softwood Plantations There is a need to convert non-native softwood plantation to native species. There are approximately 20 acres of softwood plantations including red pine and Norway spruce in the Somerset project area. These sites, while historically planted to stabilize soils, should be restored to native forest habitat types. All plantation stands are considered mature and so could be regenerated or thinned to allow native regeneration to become established.

Permanent Upland Openings There is a need to increase the amount of permanent upland openings maintained for meadow and shrub wildlife habitat to within the desired 1 to 2 percent composition objective. Contrasting with temporary openings created by timber harvests, permanent openings offer important wildlife habitat over the long- term through a wide range of vegetative conditions from grass-forb meadows to openings with young, shrub-scrub, woody vegetation. It also provides higher quality habitat for pollinators.

Regenerating/Early Successional Habitat There is a need to create regenerating age classes (0 to 9 years) across all forested habitats suitable for management. Currently, there are no stands in the regenerating age class of at least an acre in size within the Somerset project area. Early successional habitat represents an extremely important component of wildlife habitat. Various timber harvesting methods can create temporary openings in the forest canopy providing early successional habitat for up to 20 years which is important to many wildlife species. It also contributes to the vertical and horizontal structure across the overall forest landscape.

Uneven-aged Conditions There is a need to manage a minimum of 20 percent of acres suitable for timber production in an uneven- aged condition. Although most forest habitat within the project area is considered a component of the mature and old age classes (see Table 4), most stands have not reached 150 years of age when early uneven-aged conditions develop under natural disturbance regimes. Down woody material is limited in extent, and most mature and old stands are in the process of developing a young understory of

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regenerating trees, making them two-storied stands rather than uneven-aged. In many cases the young understory consists of undesirable diseased beech stems.

The Forest Plan objectives include managing at least 20 percent of suitable lands for uneven-aged conditions (Forest Plan, page 12); however, the project area currently has less than 16 percent in that condition. Management strategies for the Somerset project propose retaining all suitable stands identified as uneven-aged, and/or increasing uneven-aged conditions in other stands across the project area.

Extended Rotations Some unhealthy stands need to be thinned or regenerated in order to enhance the longevity of mature and old stands. Management direction for the Diverse Backcountry and Remote Wildlife Habitat Management Areas include a guideline emphasizing the use of extended rotation ages for stands managed using even- aged silvicultural systems (Forest Plan, pages 59 and 61). Extended rotation ages range from 150 to 300 years depending on forest type (Forest Plan, page 12). Currently about 75 percent (6,065 acres) of these two Management Areas are considered suitable for harvesting; with 96 percent of the amount (5,805 acres) consisting of either mature or old (mostly mature) conditions. While some of these stands are relatively healthy and may respond to thinning treatments, others have poor quality and less productive trees.

Apple Trees Apple trees need to be released and pruned to provide an important source of wildlife food and retain these historical features of the Green Mountain National Forest (Forest Plan, pages 27 and 29). Apple trees are located at numerous sites in the Somerset project area. As the forest matures, other tree species encroach upon and shade apple trees, which become less productive in the reduced light of the understory and eventually die. Removal of over-topping trees immediately around the apples invigorates their growth and promotes fruit production. Occasional pruning of these apple trees also redirects production from vegetative growth to production of fruit.

2.2 Timber Resource There is a need to harvest timber to achieve Forest Plan objectives for creating and maintaining healthy, productive forests, and quality habitats (Forest Plan, page 15). Timber harvesting also provides high- quality sawtimber and other timber products on a sustained yield basis (Forest Plan, page 14 and 47) and supports regional and local economies through resource use, production, and protection (Forest Plan, page 17). A wide range of even-aged and uneven-aged silvicultural harvest methods are available to achieve these objectives. Forest inventories show a number of timber stands in the Somerset project area are overstocked with trees. Many other stands have trees with low stocking, poor form, declining vigor, insect, disease, or physical damage from weather events to a degree that classifies them as low quality stands.

In particular, many stands have high stocking of shade-tolerant beech saplings in the understory affected by beech bark disease. When the overstory trees die, the trajectory of these stands is toward a stunted forest of beech saplings that die from beech bark disease before growing very large or producing beech nuts. Silvicultural treatments can decrease the amount of beech regeneration by increasing the amount of light to the forest floor, which gives an advantage to regeneration of other species such as birches, black cherry, and red maple.

There are three Management Areas within the Somerset project area where timber management can be used to meet desired objectives within the project area: Diverse Forest Use (Forest Plan, page 47), Diverse Backcountry (Forest Plan, pages 58 and 59), and Remote Wildlife Habitat (Forest Plan, pages 60 and 61).

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2.3 Fisheries and Water There is a need to add large wood in streams to help maintain and restore aquatic, fisheries, and riparian habitats (Forest Plan, page 13). Principles of stream geomorphology and habitat management are used to restore and enhance fisheries habitat while knowledge of riparian/floodplain functions and large wood dynamics are used to restore and enhance stream ecosystem processes. A majority of stream habitat within the Somerset project area lacks the quantities of large wood which would naturally be found in upland streams (see Figure 2). Large wood in streams is critical to create diverse stream habitats for fish, amphibians, and aquatic insects. Channel stability and stream function, and related riparian health along the Deerfield River are also not at desired levels to provide for optimum aquatic habitat conditions.

There is also a need to provide for free passage of aquatic species along streams where existing road or trail culverts block their migration. Free passage for native brook trout and other aquatic species within streams which cross roads or trails is important to Figure 2. East Branch Deerfield River improve habitat connectivity. Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom

2.4 Soil and Wetlands There is a need to address ongoing resource impacts to improve soil productivity and restore wetland functions where degradation of these resources is occurring. The existing soil and wetland conditions show undesirable effects of acid deposition, the presence of invasive earthworms, and erosion of some non-system roads and trails. Forest Plan goals include maintaining or restoring the natural and ecological functions of the soil and wetland habitats (Forest Plan, page 13). Important ecological soil functions include regulating nutrient and water cycles, including the processes of water flow, energy transfer, nutrient uptake and release, carbon transfer, and chemical processing. Associated objectives are to minimize the adverse impacts on soils from management activities and restore soil processes and functions on degraded soils.

2.5 Recreation There is a need to improve the overall recreation resource within the project area to provide a full range of diverse recreation opportunities. Forest Plan Goal 12 is to provide a diverse range of high quality, sustainable recreation opportunities which complement those provided off National Forest System lands (Forest Plan, page 15). The Forest Plan also provides for a diversity of trail uses within the Forest’s settings including snowmobiling, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and dog sledding (Forest Plan Record of Decision, page 19). Recreation resources within the Somerset project area include trails, developed recreation sites (such as campgrounds, shelters, and trail heads), and dispersed recreation activities (see Map 1, Existing Condition; and Tables 5 and 6).

Currently, there are limited opportunities for specific trail uses such as mountain biking. Demand for additional backcountry ski/board access is also high. At the same time, the inability to maintain existing trails and facilities to desired standards increase health and safety risks as well as potential damage to resources such as soil, water, and fisheries. A comprehensive trail strategy (USDA Forest Service 20153)

3 USDA Forest Service. 2015. Green Mountain National Forest Comprehensive Trail Strategy. 71 p. plus appendices. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3847201.pdf

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provides guidance and recommendations for the sustainable management of non-motorized and motorized trails across the National Forest including the project area. The strategy includes recommendations for future actions related to decommissioning, adding, or altering the management of trails.

Grout Pond Campground is a popular recreation site located in the project area. There is a need to improve the recreation experience for users of this site and address issues of resource impacts, accessibility, capacity, site program needs, health and safety, and site amenities and facilities. Existing parking is insufficient, resulting in cars parked along the road, and narrow access roads and dead ends create a health and safety concern for inadequate emergency vehicle access, vehicle collisions, and compliance checks conducted by Forest Service staff. Some campsites along lakeshore at Grout Pond are heavily eroded, and campsite fixtures such as tent pads, picnic tables and fire Figure 3. Grout Pond Campground rings are in need of replacement or repair (see Figure 3). The Photo credit: Emily Lauderdale lack of sufficient toilet facilities and inadequate human waste disposal creates a water quality concern.

National Forest System Trails: The project area contains Table 5. Total trail miles in the project area system trails offering a wide range of uses including 16.4 by managed use miles of the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail (which follow Managed Use Miles the same tread within the project area), and trails included in the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers snowmobile trail Snowmobile 70.2 system. Overall, there are nearly 110 miles of existing Bike 44.7 National Forest System trail uses within the project area (see Hike 54.7 Table 5). Horse 44.7 Cross Country Ski 41.8 Developed Recreation: These are recreation activities Snowshoe 0 dependent on the presence of constructed features or Fat Bike 0 facilities. There are nine developed recreation sites within the All Trails 109.41 project area (see Table 6). Substantial Forest Service 1 Total trail mileage is not a sum of all managed use developed recreation sites include Grout Pond and Somerset miles as some trails offer multiple uses Airfield campgrounds and the Mount Snow Ski Area.

Table 6. Developed recreation sites by type in the project area Interpretive and Campgrounds/Shelters Trailheads Other Observation Sites Glastenbury Lookout Goddard Shelter Little Pond Trailhead Mount Snow Ski Area Tower Grout Pond Campground Pine Valley Winter Trailhead Kid Gore Shelter Somerset Airfield Campground Story Spring Shelter

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2.6 Visual Quality Management activities are needed to provide new vistas and maintain existing vistas especially along the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail. One of the most popular public activities on the Green Mountain National Forest is viewing scenery provided by established vistas (Forest Plan Environmental Impact Statement, pages 3-211 and 3- 306). Forest Plan Goal 15 is to maintain or enhance visual resources such as viewsheds, vistas, overlooks, and special features (Forest Plan, page 16).

Figure 4. View from Haystack Mountain Photo Credit: Melissa Reichert

2.7 Transportation (Roads and Infrastructure) There is a need to improve the transportation system within the project area to provide a safe, efficient, and effective Forest transportation system which meets both the needs of the public and the Forest Service (Forest Plan, page 16). The transportation system provides access for public and administrative uses. The system can also have negative effects on the natural and cultural resources of the Forest. There are about 39 miles of existing system roads within the Somerset project area under Forest Service jurisdiction (see Table 7; and Appendix B).

A Forest-wide detailed travel analysis USDA Forest Table 7. Existing system roads by managed use Service 20154) recommends a minimum road system Operational Maintenance Level Miles needed for safe and efficient travel and for administration, utilization, and protection of the National 1 – Basic Custodial Care (Closed) 17.70 Forest System lands including the project area. This 2 – High Clearance Vehicles 10.26 includes a road system which meets public access and 3 – Suitable For Passenger Vehicles 2.37 management needs in a sustainable manner by 4 – Moderate Degree of User Comfort 8.69 reconstructing and maintaining existing roads where 5 – High Degree of User Comfort 0.0 needed, the decommissioning of roads where they are no Total 39.02 longer needed, and the installation of gates to control access to roads during periods of closure.

4 USDA Forest Service. 2015. Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests Forest-wide Travel Analysis Report. 26 p. plus appendices. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd526200.pdf

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3. PROPOSED ACTION

This section provides the description of proposed management activities defining the proposed action while addressing the purpose and need for each resource category within the Somerset project area. A series of maps associated with the project support the description of each activity included in the proposed action: • Map 1, Existing Condition displays the project area boundary, Forest Plan management areas, and road, trail, and other infrastructure as they currently exist • Maps 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Management Activities displays the proposed vegetation and wildlife treatment activities • Map 3, Recreation, Transportation, Soil & Watershed Activities displays the proposed recreation, aquatic and soil resource restoration, and transportation activities (including road and trail projects), as well as other miscellaneous activities

3.1 Forest Habitat and Timber Resources The Forest Habitat and Timber Resources have been combined into one section because of their close interconnected relationship. Table 8 provides a summary of proposed timber and wildlife management activities proposed within the Somerset project area (all acres are approximate).

Table 8. Summary of proposed management activities relative to forest habitat and timber resources Management Activity Amount Proposed Timber Harvest Treatments Uneven-aged harvest method1 Group selection with improvement cuts 3,342 acres Group Selection 2,077 acres Single Tree Selection 366 acres Total uneven-aged harvest 5,785 acres Even-aged harvest method1 Regeneration - Shelterwood 2,808 acres Regeneration - Clearcut 21 acres Total regeneration harvest treatments 2,829 acres Intermediate – Thinning and improvement cuts 770 acres Total intermediate harvest treatments 770 acres Total even-aged harvest (regeneration and intermediate) 3,599 acres Total Number of Acres Treated 9,384 acres Other Treatments Land clearing/convert forest to expand or create new permanent upland openings1,2 246 acres Release and prune apple trees2 9 sites, 18 acres Timber stand improvement1 413 acres Post-Harvest Treatments Site preparation for natural or artificial regeneration (hand) 4,279 acres Site preparation for oak planting (cut stump herbicide and prescribed fire) 221 acres General tree planting to supplement natural regeneration where needed 4,058 acres Tree planting (oak/pine) 221 acres Maintenance of permanent upland openings (existing and newly created)2 668 acres 1 Appendix A2 lists the proposed harvest treatments, number of harvest acres for each Compartment/Stand, and the actual treatment acres proposed for each harvest method; includes timber stand improvement stands 2 Appendix A3 lists proposed treatments designed to primarily benefit wildlife habitat

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Timber Harvest Treatments The proposal includes timber harvest treatments on a total of 9,630 acres including uneven-aged and even-aged harvests using a variety of silvicultural methods, and land clearing to create permanent upland openings (see Table 8; Appendix A2, Table A2-1, and Appendix A3, Table A3-1; and Maps 2a-2d, Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Management Activities). These treatments would provide forest products to the local and regional economy, improve forest health and diversity, and move the existing forest habitat composition and age classes toward the objectives as provided in the Forest Plan.

Proposed timber harvest treatments include the following variety of methods (see Table 9): • 5,785 acres of uneven-aged harvest treatments including single tree selection on 366 acres and group selection on 5,419 acres (both group selection and group selection with improvement) • 3,599 acres of even-aged harvest treatments including regeneration cuts on 2,829 acres (shelterwood and clearcuts) and intermediate cuts on 770 acres (thinning and improvement cuts) • 246 acres of land clearing to create permanent upland openings for shrub/grass habitat followed by clearing of undesirable sub-merchantable stems

Table 9: Description of proposed timber harvest methods Harvest Treatment Description Example Photograph Method Clearcut with Creates a temporary opening of reserves greater than five acres. At least five percent of each stand would be reserved from harvest to provide wildlife trees and greater structural diversity.

Patch cuts Creates a temporary opening of three to five acres. Trees with high wildlife value, such as those with cavities or exfoliating bark, can be reserved from harvest.

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Harvest Treatment Description Example Photograph Method Shelterwood A portion of the existing overstory is retained to provide shelter to regeneration, to allow vigorous young trees to continue growing, and/or to provide greater forest structure. Trees with high wildlife value are also retained individually or in clumps.

Group selection Group openings are created throughout a stand ranging in size from one to two acres in order to provide early successional benefits. Group openings are scattered throughout the stand to equal 10 to 20 percent of the total stand acres.

Intermediate Intermediate cuts include thinning and improvement cutting. It consists of the removal of trees from a stand sometime between the beginning or formation of the stand and the regeneration cut. The primary objective is to remove unhealthy and poorly formed trees and provide retained trees better growing

conditions. Photo Credits: Clearcut with reserves and group selection courtesy of Scott Wixsom, USDA Forest Service; Patch cuts, shelterwood, and intermediate cuts courtesy of Brian Lockhart, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

The timber harvest activities would be implemented with multiple commercial timber sales of various sizes implemented over a seven to ten (7 to 10) year period. Ground-based logging systems would be used for felling and skidding of trees in all stands. Skidders may utilize grapples or cables.

Timber harvesting would yield an estimated 42,000 hundred cubic feet or 25 million board feet of sawtimber and pulpwood. The breakdown of wood products is about 17,000 hundred cubic feet or 10 million board feet of sawtimber; and 25,000 hundred cubic feet or 32,000 cords of pulpwood.

Timber Stand Improvement The proposal includes timber stand improvement (pre-commercial thinning) on 413 acres in 17 separate stands to improve the composition, structure, condition, health, and growth on young (less than 35 years old) even-aged stands (see Table 8; Appendix A2, Table A2-2; and Maps 2a-2d, Vegetation and Wildlife

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Habitat Management Activities). This activity would be performed with mechanized equipment such as a chain or brush saw.

Timber stand improvement treatments include: • Retention of crop trees of desired species selected on a spacing of about 16 by 16 feet • Cutting less desirable competing trees touching the crowns of the crop trees to allow for better growth of crop trees selected to become part of a future commercial harvest

Transportation Network A comprehensive road system was designed as part of timber harvest planning to determine areas where log landings, skid routes, and other transportation infrastructure may be established to implement timber harvest activities (see Maps 2a-2d, Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Management Activities; and Map 3, Recreation, Transportation, Soil & Watershed Activities). The existing National Forest System, town, and state road system would be used for log truck access and logging equipment access to log landings.

The following road infrastructure activities are proposed to facilitate harvest activities: • Construction of temporary roads and any improvement and/or maintenance needs associated with the existing transportation network to support timber harvest activities; details are provided in the Transportation Section (see Section 3.6 Transportation (Roads and Infrastructure)) • The use of existing log landings or openings and skid roads/trails that meet current Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines; although, there would be a concerted effort to use existing landings from prior timber harvest operations for re-use, it is uncertain how many would be suitable for the Somerset project Figure 5. Skidding timber on a skid trail • Construction of an estimated 132 new landings log Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom landings as well as skid roads/trails in locations needed to access all areas being considered for harvest (see Figure 5): o Landings are typically between one-quarter and one-half acre in size o Specific locations for new landings and skid roads/skid trails would be mutually agreed to by the timber sale(s) purchaser and Forest Service staff

Post-Harvest Activities The following activities are proposed as connected actions after completion of initial timber harvest treatments to address forest habitat and timber resource needs:

Site Preparation for Natural or Artificial Regeneration The proposal includes 4,279 acres of site preparation to provide for natural or artificial regeneration of stands proposed for harvest using the clearcuts, shelterwood, single tree selection, group selection, and group selection with improvement methods5. Site preparation would be implemented within one year following the harvest of the stand. Treatment activities include:

5 Group selection and group selection with improvement treatments would only propose site preparation in the actual group area harvested within each stand or about 20 percent of the total stand area

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• Cutting saplings from one to six inches diameter at breast height with hand tools to eliminate or reduce competition from residual vegetation • Targeting for cutting any vegetation that may be bent or broken, not commercially valuable, or less desirable

Site Preparation/Release Treatments for Oak Regeneration The proposal includes 221 acres of site preparation and/or release treatments for proposed planted oak regeneration. Site preparation would be implemented within one year following the harvest of the stand.

Cut-stump application of herbicide (a glyphosate product) would be the preferred method for controlling competing tree seedlings/saplings (primarily, but not limited to, beech and red maple) to ensure success of planted oak seedlings. This method includes: • Cutting undesirable saplings • Painting or spraying the stump with herbicide to prevent the stump or roots from sprouting

A glyphosate product has been selected based on its effectiveness and low toxicity. The product would be labeled for use near water (such as Accord® or Rodeo®) and have the following application rates: • No more than 7.56 pounds of active ingredient per acre with no added surfactants • No more than 1.25 pounds of active ingredient per acre with no added surfactants within water source protective strips

Prescribed fire would also be an option for site preparation based on conditions assessed after implementation of the regeneration cut to determine if it would successfully meet site preparation needs. Prescribed fire could also be used as a release treatment for oak.

Enhancing Oak (Planting) The proposal includes 221 acres of oak planting in stands where oak regeneration treatments would occur. The planting would include oak species (northern red and/or white oak) possibly mixed with eastern white pine for conifer diversity. Trees would be hand planted at a rate of 400 to 700 trees per acre to ensure adequate stocking. Planting rate would be determined by factors such as existing oak regeneration, level of shade, and level of browse by deer or other animals: • Lower rates would be used where oak regeneration is already present and where there is low risk of deer browse • Higher rates would be used where there is no oak regeneration and high risk of deer browse

Supplemental Tree Planting The proposal includes tree stocking surveys on 4,058 acres6 in stands proposed for regeneration harvest treatments (clearcuts/patch clearcuts, shelterwood, single tree selection, group selection, and group selection with improvement methods) following the first and third year of harvest to monitor regeneration success. Supplemental tree planting may be necessary if stocking surveys determine natural regeneration is not adequate in any of the regenerated harvest treatment areas.

Hand planting would include a mix of native species at a rate of 200 to 700 trees per acre, depending on stocking needs. Conifer species would be emphasized in areas appropriate for mixed-wood forest habitat; in other cases desirable hardwood species would be planted. Direct seeding through broadcast or aerial means would also be considered.

6 Does not include the 221 acres of oak planting

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Other Forest Habitat Treatments The proposal includes a variety of other treatments that would provide additional habitat diversity to benefit wildlife across the project area (see Table 8; Appendix A3, Tables A3-1, A3-2 and A3-3; and Maps 2a-2d, Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Management Activities):

Increase Permanent Upland Openings The proposal includes land clearing or mechanical mastication of trees to convert existing forest to permanent upland openings on a total of 246 acres (see Figure 6). This treatment includes: • The creation of seven new permanent upland openings for a combined total of 152 acres • The expansion of five existing openings for a combined total of 94 acres

The initial timber harvest would be followed by further clearing to complete the process to convert areas of forested stands to permanent upland openings for early- successional habitat. This clearing would occur within one year following harvest and includes: Figure 6. Creation of openings by mastication Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom • Cutting saplings of tree species 1 to 6 inches diameter breast height that are not needed for wildlife would be cut • Leaving stumps in the ground and pile and/or burn slash

Maintain Permanent Upland Openings The proposal includes the maintenance of existing and newly created permanent upland openings to promote early successional habitat on 668 acres within the project area. This treatment would occur on 422 acres of existing openings (28 separate stands), and 246 acres of new and expanded openings. Where heavy infestations of non- native invasive plants are present, selection of treatments would be coordinated with a Forest Service botanist; in some cases, control of non-native invasive plants may be integrated with vegetation treatments. Maintenance treatment includes: Figure 7. Maintaining openings with • Mechanical mowing or masticating; cutting with prescribed fire chainsaws, brush saws, or hand tools; prescribed Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom fire (see Figure 7); or a combination of these treatment methods • Cutting new growth in openings periodically over a 10-year period to retain early-successional habitat conditions

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Maintain Apple Trees The proposal includes the release and pruning of apple trees at nine known sites across the project area covering about 18 total acres within the project area. If more apple trees are discovered during project planning and implementation, they would be included for release and pruning.

Treatment would include: • Hand tool removal of over-topping trees that shade the apples, as well as small saplings and pole-size trees near or under the canopy of

individual apple trees Figure 8. Apple tree release • Approximately one to two acres would be treated Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom at each site (see Figure 8)

Increase Pollinator Habitat The proposal includes the creation of pollinator habitat at selected sites within log landings and permanent upland openings to benefit species such as the yellow-banded bumblebee and West Virginia white butterfly (see Figure 9). Designated log landings would be selected based on size, access, site condition, and aspect.

The treatment would include: • Hand planting or mechanically seeding with preferred native- pollinator plant species (method dependent on the size of the area to be planted) • Expanding select existing log landings with mechanized equipment but expansion would be limited to an area of two acres or less Figure 9. Pollinator habitat Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom Fireline Construction The proposal includes the construction of firelines as a connected action where prescribed fire is proposed. Prior to the initial burn, a fireline would be in place to maintain a continuous fire barrier, void of flammable material, either completely around the perimeter of the burn area or between anchor points (such as roads, trails, or natural barriers). The level of fireline construction needed would be commensurate with the fuel conditions along the area perimeter: • Where there are large amounts of combustible fuel resulting from mastication or other treatment activities, a fireline would be constructed to prevent fire spotting and to safely implement a controlled prescribed fire. Construction may be completed with small to mid-sized tracked excavator in the following manner: o Clear mulch, chipped, masticated biomass, and down woody debris from an area 4 to 5 feet wide o Remove (or cut to ground level) small stumps that would impede safe all-terrain vehicle passage during burn activities o Scrape a line 18 to 24 inches wide to organic soil depth within the 4 to 5 foot wide cleared zone o Scatter scraped material within the area to be burned to a depth not to exceed one foot

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• Where fuel conditions do not warrant fireline construction with tracked equipment, other means such as hand tools, all-terrain vehicle with an attached plow, mower, or other similar equipment would be used to establish a fireline capable of containing the fire. • Prior to any subsequent burns of a previously treated area, combustible fuels would be cleared from previously constructed firelines using hand tools or an all-terrain vehicle with appropriate attachments.

3.2 Fisheries and Water The proposal consists of treatments designed to improve aquatic habitat including the placement of large wood in streams and providing aquatic passage through culverts (see Map 3, Recreation, Transportation, Soil & Watershed Activities).

Placement of Large Wood The proposal includes large wood placement on up to approximately 22.8 miles of stream within the project area using hand tools and heavy equipment (see Table 10; and Figure 10). Large wood additions would increase instream amounts to between 75 and 130 pieces per mile greater than 12 inches diameter, and 100 pieces per mile between 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Whole trees would be placed by a combination of methods including hand tools and heavy equipment. Hand tool placement of large wood would be Figure 10. Large wood placement in stream accomplished by: Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom • Chainsaws and grip hoist to directionally fell and position trees; trees along each stream would be used as a source of large wood • In the largest stream channels, a grip hoist would be used to pull over trees so roots remain attached and reduce the potential for flood flows to move them downstream • A grip hoist or log carrier may be used to assist in placing the trees in desired stream locations

Use of heavy equipment including ground-based excavator and/or helicopter would be used to place wood in stream sections where channel width is greater than 25 feet and placements would be engineered for larger flows.

Table 10. Streams proposed for large wood placement Stream Name Large Wood Placement Large Wood Placement (includes tributaries) Hand Tools (miles Heavy Equipment (miles) Deerfield River 0.8 4.7 Glastenbury River 1.5 3.3 Deer Lick Brook 1.0 1.3 Deer Cabin Brook 0.0 0.4 Blind Brook 2.0 0.0 Rake Branch 0.0 3.7 Redfield Brook 0.0 0.8 Vose Brook 1.4 0.0 Heather Brook 1.1 0.0 Total in Project Area 7.8 14.2

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Large Wood Sources for Heavy Equipment Placement The proposal includes heavy equipment (excavator or helicopter) large wood placement in the wider channel sections using mature red pine trees from proposed harvest areas in Compartments 104 and 102. Heavy equipment would be used to harvest and stockpile the trees. Approximately one third of these trees would be harvested with the root wads attached. Stockpiled trees would be trucked and placed with an excavator or transported and placed by helicopter.

Provide Aquatic Organism Passage The proposal includes the replacement of the existing pipe culvert on Castle Meadow Trail (Corridor 7) with a structure, such as a bottom-less arch culvert or bridge, to allow aquatic organism passage and flood resiliency. This activity would require the use of heavy equipment such as an excavator. Site conditions and topographic surveys would determine the most appropriate structure: • A bottom-less arch culvert consists of a steel arch attached to poured concrete footings on either side of the stream channel; the stream bed would be constructed through the arch to mimic the stream elevations both above and below the structure and the trail would pass over the steel Figure 11. Bottom-less arch culvert arch structure (see Figure 11) Photo credit: Dan McKinley • A bridge would be constructed using the standard engineered bridge design to allow for unimpeded flow of the stream

3.3 Soil and Wetlands The proposal includes management activities to improve soil and wetland conditions within the project area (see Map 3, Recreation, Transportation, Soil & Watershed Activities). Erosion stabilization is proposed on up to 11.7 miles of existing non-system woods roads throughout the project area using tracked equipment, except where hand-crews are needed due to access constraints. Improvement activities would occur during the summer. Soil and wetland improvement activities include: • Placement of berms and/or boulders to block road access (see Table 11; and Figure 12) • Installing water bars and/or check dams along Figure 12. Placement of boulder barrier the roads where needed, and some road Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom sections would be re-contoured to improve drainage • Seeding and mulching following all soil-disturbing activity associated with heavy equipment where necessary

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Table 11. Proposed activities to block access to non-system roads Location1 Description of Activity S01 Install boulders to block access to non-system road S02 Install boulders to block OHV access to non-system road S03 Install boulders to block OHV access to non-system road S04 Install boulders or berm, set back to block many non-system trails S05 Install boulders or berm to block access to non-system snowmobile trail S06 Install boulders to block access to non-system trail S07 Install boulders to block access to non-system road S08 Install boulders to block access to non-system road S09 Install boulders and repair berm to block access to non-system road S10 Install boulders or berm to block access to non-system snowmobile trail 1 As shown on Map 3, Recreation, Transportation, Soil & Watershed Activities

3.4 Recreation The proposal includes management activities to provide sustainable recreation opportunities within the project area including trail use and developed recreation (see Tables 12, 13, and 14; Grout Pond Campground Conceptual Plan located at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53706; and Map 3, Recreation, Transportation, Soil & Watershed Activities).

New Trails Table 12 shows new trails to be designated or constructed within the project area. Add approximately 4.1 miles of terra trail and 1.3 miles of snow trail to the National Forest Trail System and transportation network. All trails will be constructed to Forest Service design standards (National Design Parameters available at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/trail-management/trail-fundamentals/).

Table 12. New trails proposed to increase recreation opportunities Length Managed Use Description of Activity (miles) Mountain Bike, 2.0 Construct approximately 2.0 miles of new trail providing connectivity between the Town Hike, Cross- of Dover, Mount Snow trails, and the National Forest Trail System. The trail would be Country Ski designed as Class 3 (3 to 4 feet wide) mountain bike trail but also managed for hiking and cross-country skiing. Trail segments include: • 1.6 miles from Handle Road in Dover to the southern Mount Snow ski slopes • 0.4 miles of a horseshoe segment off of segment 1 to provide a beginner-level loop experience

Trail construction activities necessary to meet trail standards include: • The use of an excavator and/or hand crews to construct drainage structures and to define the tread of the trail • De-brushing, felling of trees, and sign installations at trailheads and trail intersections to indicate the managed uses for the trail network and to provide user information • Blazing and signage installations at appropriate locations along the trail • Infrastructure at stream crossings may include bridges, hardened fords or culverts with an emphasis on installing infrastructure which minimizes impact to aquatic resources in addition to limiting long-term maintenance commitments

Hike, Cross- 2.1 Construct approximately 2.1 miles of Class 2 (6 to 18 inches wide) hiking trail Country Ski connecting the proposed mountain bike trails off Handle Road in the Town of Dover to

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Length Managed Use Description of Activity (miles) the Deerfield Ridge Trail. This trail addition would provide a connection from the Town of Dover to the National Forest Trail System. In addition to hiking, the trail would also serve as a skin track for access to the proposed backcountry ski area off Deerfield Ridge. Trail construction activities necessary to meet trail standards is the same as above for the proposed trail between the Town of Dover, Mount Snow trails, and the National Forest Trail System.

Cross-Country 0.4 Construct approximately 0.4 miles of cross-country ski trail on an existing old skid trail. Ski The trail would serve as a collector route for a proposed backcountry ski area off Deerfield Ridge. The trail would be designed as a Class 3 snowmobile trail for emergency response purposes (8 feet wide) but would be managed for cross-country skiing. The trail would connect with proposed mountain bike and hiking trails off Handle Road in the Town of Dover. Trail construction activities would include: • The use of an excavator and/or hand crews to construct and repair drainage structures, de-brush, and install signs at trail intersections and along the base of the backcountry ski area • Signage would indicate managed uses, and provide wayfinding and safety information for the backcountry ski area • Signs and blazing installation at appropriate locations along the trail • An existing snowmobile bridge would be replaced to allow for emergency access to the backcountry ski area

Cross-Country 0.7 Add a 0.7 mile existing segment of the Catamount Trail to the National Forest Trail Ski System. The trail segment is located on the northeast side of Somerset Reservoir and is a Class 3 cross-country ski trail.

Snowmobile 0.2 Add a 0.7 mile existing snowmobile trail segment of the Valley Trail (Valley C100) to the National Forest Trail System. The trail segment is located in the Town of Wilmington at the end of Forbush Road. It is a Class 3 snowmobile trail on the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) trail system.

Trail Improvements Add approximately 200 feet of no-deck puncheon or boardwalk, if necessary, to cross a high elevation stunted stature example of a red spruce swamp on the Deerfield Ridge Trail. The puncheon or boardwalk would be constructed within the existing trail prism.

Decommission Trails Table 13 shows trails proposed to be decommissioned within the project area. Decommissioning of these trails would be accomplished with an excavator and/or hand crews resulting in the administrative removal of approximately 5.5 miles of trail from the National Forest trail system, including: • 4.1 miles managed for snowmobiling • 1.4 miles managed for hiking

Table 13. Existing trails proposed to be decommissioned Length Managed Rationale to Trail Name Description of Activity (miles) Use Decommission Section of 1.4 Hike Trail segment is not Install boulders at the access point off Deerfield currently maintained and Forbush Road. Remove signage, trail Ridge Trail is redundant access to the markers, and any constructed trail (FT 326) from Deerfield Ridge. The features including an old snowmobile

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Length Managed Rationale to Trail Name Description of Activity (miles) Use Decommission Forbush Road Binney Brook Trail also bridge. Install water bars and erosion to intersection provides access to the control where needed. Allow trail to with Binney Deerfield Ridge Trail, is naturally revegetate. Rename the Binney Brook Trail maintained, and sees Brook Trail so it is the continuation of the (FT 326a) greater use. Deerfield Ridge Trail.

Deerfield 3.1 Snowmobile Trail is not currently Remove remaining abutments from River Trail maintained and dead- bridge across Deerfield River previously (FT 379) ends where a large bridge washed out. Place boulders on entry washed out during tropical points to both trails off FR 71. Remove storm Irene in 2011. Trail two existing bridges and any signage or goes through a wetland to trail markers. Boulder turnoff from FR 83 the north which does not to side of washed out bridge. This action reliably freeze. would also involve closing a dispersed site which regularly has compliance issues and is difficult to check due to dead-end nature of the spur.

Sports Cabin 0.3 Snowmobile Trail not currently Allow trail to continue to naturally Trail (FT 380) maintained. The cabin revegetate. Remove culvert and any trail that the trail provided signage or markers. Boulder entry point access to was off FR 71. deconstructed in 2015.

East Deerfield 0.7 Snowmobile Trail is in poor condition The decommissioning of this trail Loop Trail and goes through a includes connected actions of (FT 377) wetland where ground is decommissioning 1.1 miles of the trail on not reliably frozen and Great River Hydro land and removing resource damage is snowmobiling as a managed use on 1.7 occurring. miles of the trail overlapping with Grout Pond Road and the West Loop cross- country ski trail (1.5 miles on Forest Service / 0.2 miles on Great River Hydro). The section of trail on Grout Pond Road would be added to the West Loop Trail. Trail sections to be decommissioned would be blocked off by boulders at Corridor 7 and Grout Pond Road intersections. Trail tread would be restored by adding water bars, trail signage would be removed, and signage indicating changed managed uses would be installed.

Closure of User Created Trails Numerous user-created non-system trails and trails which pre-date Forest Service land ownership exist on the Handle Road property in the Town of Dover. Trails are in poor condition and/or redundant of proposed trails in the area. User trail closure and area rehabilitation would involve blocking entry points with downed wood, installing water bars where necessary, and removing any trail signage, bridges, culverts, or structures.

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Proposed Developed Recreation Activities Table 14 shows proposed activities to improve existing and provide new developed recreation sites within the project area.

Table 14. Proposed developed recreation activities Facility Description of Activity

Grout Pond Implement improvements across the campground and day use areas to meet the following Campground goals: 1) improve water quality and sanitation, 2) improve accessibility and recreation, experience, and 3) increase capacity. Improvements would be implemented in phases and would be funded by various means such as Recreation Enhancement Act fees and capital improvement project funds. 1) Improve Water Quality and Sanitation • Treat shoreline/campsite interfaces with drainage, hardening, and revegetation to reduce erosion, protect aquatic plants, and provide clear non-motorized boat access points • Move all constructed campsite features 50 feet back from shoreline to reduce erosion • Decommission campsites #7 and #9 to reduce shoreline erosion • Add human waste management capacity to the campground o Construct three new composting toilets and one new single-vault toilet o Replace existing single-vault toilet near parking area with a double-vault toilet • Add trash collection at parking area 2) Improve Accessibility and Recreation Experience • Construct a vehicle pull out and install a fee station at the campground entrance • Relocate the non-motorized boat launch to an area south of the existing launch; restore the existing, eroded launch through grading, drainage, and revegetation • Reroute, grade, and surface the access route from parking area to non-motorized boat launch to meet Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines o Gravel surfacing would amount to approximately 6,488 square feet • Replace existing hand water pump with an accessible model • Re-grade, surface, and add and replace drainage structures on Camp Loop Trail and Pond Loop Trail section from parking area to southern intersection with Camp Loop Trail to meet Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines o Re-route, grade, and surface campsite access routes where necessary to improve drainage and meet Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines where possible o Gravel surfacing for trails and access routes would amount to approximately 20,236 square feet • Harden all campsites with gravel surfacing o Hardening of new and existing walk-in campsites would amount to approximately 6,875 square feet of gravel o Drive-in/RV campsite pads would amount to approximately 8,949 square feet of gravel o Edges would be treated with pressure treated wood and/or rock to prevent erosion and campsite expansion • Construct boat stands at campsites 1, 2, 10, and 11 and a boat rack at shoreline day use area for non-lakeside campsite boat storage • Reconfigure existing group campsite area o Create a loop gravel road by extending the dead-end road o Add gravel parking spurs, picnic tables, and fire rings to manage the existing group campsite as a triple capacity site o Additional surfacing would amount to approximately 12,738 square feet of gravel 3) Increase Capacity (net gain of six campsites, one hut, and one cabin) • Redesign parking area to a one-way loop o Add 16 parking spaces

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Facility Description of Activity o Parking area reconfiguration would consist of 20,233 square feet of gravel surfacing • Construct eight additional campsites o One host site with solar power, potable water connection, and waste water disposal amenities o Five new pull-in/ pull-through sites o Two new walk-in campsites off Camp Loop Trail • Construct a four-season hut off the Camp Loop Trail o Design, construction, operations, and maintenance of the hut would be done in cooperation with a partner organization o The partner organization would be responsible for deconstruction and rehabilitation of the site if the enterprise were to fail or come to an end • Demolish and reconstruct the existing cabin after historical documentation is complete. New cabin would be designed for all-season use. o The reconstructed cabin would serve as optional shelter for the campground host or available to campers through the reservation system For further details, see Grout Pond Campground Conceptual Plan located at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53706

Backcountry Develop additional terrain for backcountry recreation and designate the area as a snowpark Recreation Area developed recreation site in close proximity to Mount Snow off the Deerfield Ridge trail. The proposed trailhead and trails on the Handle Road property in the Town of Dover would serve as access, skin tracks (up-trails), and collector routes. The backcountry area would consist of three “zones” totaling approximately 180 acres, located within Diverse Forest Use and Alpine Ski Area Expansion Management Areas. The treatment areas within these zones, known as skiable lines (locations where skier traffic will be encouraged), would be identified and vegetation may be removed from within these lines to increase space for skier traffic. Specifically, management activities would include: • Removal, thinning, and trimming of vegetation to create and enhance skiable lines within the identified zones to a width of 15 to 30 feet but would not include the removal of all trees within said line • Trees would be retained within these lines in order to maintain a closed canopy to support continued natural ecosystem processes and the characteristics desirable for a backcountry skiing experience • Signage indicating necessary skill level, safety information, backcountry ethics, and wayfinding would be installed at the Handle Road trailhead, access points to the backcountry area, and key points along the collector route and within zones

Connected Actions A parking area and trailhead would be constructed off of Handle Road in the Town of Dover. The gravel parking area would be approximately 150 feet wide by 25 feet deep/long and accommodate about 13 vehicles. The parking area would be within the road right-of-way and private properties but allow access to National Forest System land. Design and construction would be completed by the Town of Dover.

The trailhead would serve proposed trails and the backcountry recreation area off the Deerfield Ridge. Trailhead construction would include a kiosk to provide wayfinding and other information.

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3.5 Visual Quality The proposal includes scenery management treatments at seven sites to maintain and enhance viewing opportunities within the project area (see Table 15; and Map 3, Recreation, Transportation, Soil & Watershed Activities).

Table 15. Proposed scenery management treatment Location Description of Treatment

Along the Appalachian Goddard Shelter: Restore the existing vista to the azimuths in the vista inventory by Trail/Long Trail removing vegetation using hand saws. Vista east of the Top of the Mountain Trail: Enhance and expand the vista to the northeast to expand the vista up to two acres using a brontosaurus and chain saws. Maintain other existing vistas along the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail outside of wilderness as needed using hand saws.

Along Deerfield Ridge Haystack Mountain Summit: Maintain existing vista at summit of Haystack Mountain and if possible enhance vista to the south with hand tools.

Deerfield Ridge Trail: Create two new vistas on the Deerfield Ridge Trail, one looking east in the area between the intersection with the Binney Brook Trail and the intersection with the Haystack Mountain Trail and the other looking west between the Haystack Mountain Trail and Mount Snow using chain saws and hand tools to cut trees and remove limbs.

Along Forest Road 71 Shep’s Meadow: Maintain existing inventoried vista to the azimuths in the vista inventory using hand tools or chainsaws to remove small trees and brush. Wetlands south of FR 86: Maintain existing inventoried vista using chain saws and hand tools to cut trees and remove limbs.

3.6 Transportation (Roads and Infrastructure) Proposed road reconstruction together with the existing roads under Forest Service, town, and state jurisdiction would provide a sustainable transportation network to meet public and administrative access needs within the project area. See Maps 2a-2d, Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Management Activities; and Map 3, Recreation, Transportation, Soil & Watershed Activities for locations of proposed system road reconstruction, temporary road construction, road decommissioning, and other associated road infrastructure. All proposed road activities would be implemented using customary mechanized power equipment and machinery.

System Roads Timber access within the project area would not require construction of new Operation Maintenance Level (OML) 1; however, up to 17.7 miles of existing OML 1 roads would be utilized as needed for timber access. These roads would be reconstructed or maintained to a level sufficient for hauling. Any road reconstruction would include the following activities: • Retaining the road width to a maximum of 14 feet with ditches or fill slope out to four feet wider than the road surface (see Figure 13) • Use of native material as well as imported gravel Figure 13. OML 1 road • Placement of drainage structures as needed Photo Credit: David Donahue

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Operation Maintenance Level 1 are intermittent service roads during the time they are closed to vehicular traffic. The following activities would occur after their use for proposed timber harvest activities: • Remove drainage structures • Block roads with barriers to prohibit motorized vehicle access • Perform basic custodial maintenance to keep damage to adjacent resources to an acceptable level and to perpetuate the road to facilitate future management activities

Forest Service Road (FR) 275, currently OML 2 for the entire length (1.6 miles), is proposed to have its Table 16. Proposed Maintenance Level Changes mileage of OML 2 reduced in length with the Road Length Length Total Length remainder then being reconstructed as OML 1 (see Number OML 2 OML 1 (miles) Table 16). A barrier would be placed at the beginning FR 275 0.70 0.90 1.60 of the OML 1 segment and would be managed for this maintenance level.

Temporary Roads Temporary roads are minimum-standard roads designed for short- term use during a specific project (see Figure 14). The heart of the Somerset project area is within the unincorporated Town of Somerset. The lack of town roads renders a large component of timber stands proposed for treatment inaccessible by the existing transportation network. This is not typical for most parts of the Green Mountain National Forest thus more temporary road construction is anticipated for this project compared to other projects of similar scope on other parts of the Forest. There may be up to 15 individual timber sales implemented over a five to ten year period to harvest proposed stands. This would require an average of just over 2.0 miles of temporary roads per sale for a total of 31.8 miles over the life of the project.

Table 17 provides proposed temporary road construction needed to Figure 14. Temporary road access timber stands within the Somerset project. The vast majority Photo Credit: Bill Garrison of temporary roads would follow the template of existing non-system woods roads or trails (see Figure 15). Only 2.86 miles of temporary road construction would be in locations where no non-system woods roads or trails exist.

Table 17. Proposed temporary road construction Description Length (miles) Follows existing non-system woods roads or trails 21.0 Follows existing system trails1 8.5 New temporary road location2 2.3 Total 31.8 1 Temporary roads constructed over existing system trails, such as snowmobile trails 2 New temporary road construction needed where there is no existing road Figure 15. Existing non-system woods road or trail template Photo Credit: Laura McRee

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The construction of temporary roads would be constructed to the same width as an OML 1 road (14 feet), but strive

for the mini mum width needed to allow for the passage of equipment. The following activities would occur after their use for proposed timber harvest activities (see Figure 16: • Remove bridges, culverts, and crossing structures • Return the road template to pre-use conditions after use as needed to stabilize soil and maintain natural stream hydrology • Block roads with organic material, berms, or

barriers to prohibit motorized vehicle access Figure 16. Closed temporary road Photo Credit: David Donahue Road Decommissioning Road decommissioning is a means to accomplish a minimum road system which provides safe and efficient travel for administration, utilization, and protection of National Forest System lands. The proposal includes the decommissioning of six existing system roads totaling about 2.53 miles (see Table 18). Table 18. Roads proposed for decommissioning Road decommissioning brings the road to a sustainable Road Length (miles) condition. This includes the removal of all structures, Number ensuring adequate drainage, promote vegetative growth 72A 0.30 and, where needed, and stabilize embankments and 72C 0.26 slopes. The road template would not be removed in its 861 0.57 entirety due to the cost prohibitive nature of this work. 325A 0.10

Forest Road 372 and 373A are proposed to be removed 325B 0.60 from the road system for an additional reduction of 375 0.70 1.30 miles. These roads would not be decommissioned Total 2.53 as they also have trail designation and would remain on 1 The remaining 0.39 miles of FR 86 would be retained as the trail system. an OML 2 system road

Bridge Replacement The proposal includes the replacement of the existing bridge on Forest System Road 83 at mile post 0.01. The existing bridge has timber beams and decking on timber abutments and is nearing the end of its service life. Construction would be expected to be completed within four months of the start date and includes the following activities: • Construct a single lane structure designed to pass the 100 year frequency storm event and all American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design guidelines for the structural components of the bridge • Close the road during construction; no temporary access would be required

Gate Placement/Relocation The proposal includes one new gate at milepost 0.07 on Forest Road 275 to restrict seasonal access. The gate would be placed on concrete foundations which require 4 x 4 x 5 foot deep holes. Adequate space for a turnaround would be provided at the location.

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4. OTHER RESOURCE CONSIDERATION

The Somerset project proposed action will be in compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and policy specific to resources considered for management within the project area. The following highlight some of the important resources that will be protected within the Somerset project area.

Threatened and Endangered Species The Endangered Species Act requires that federal activities do not jeopardize the continued existence of any species federally listed or proposed as threatened or endangered, or result in adverse modification to such species’ designated critical habitat. A biological evaluation will be completed to determine effects for federally listed threatened or endangered wildlife species and necessary protective measures related to proposed activities. There are no plant species federally listed as threatened or endangered.

The northern long-eared bat is one of the species most impacted by the disease white nose syndrome and is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Acoustic surveys for bats during the summers of 2017 and 2018 returned detections of northern long-eared bats in four locations within the Somerset project area. Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department bat biologists is ongoing to determine necessary protective measures for northern long-eared bat within the project area.

Figure 17. Northern long-eared bat with Sensitive Wildlife and Plant Species symtoms of white nose syndrome Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2670 direction requires Photo Credit: Steve Taylor; University of Illinois analysis of potential effects to sensitive species, those species for which the Regional Forester has identified population viability is a concern. These species are listed as Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species and it is Forest Service policy to prevent their loss of viability or cause a trend toward federal listing as threatened or endangered at the Forest level. Biological evaluations will be completed to determine effects and necessary protective measures for wildlife and plant sensitive species related to proposed activities.

American Marten A population of American marten has established in the southern Green Mountains, with detections occurring in the Somerset project area. While there are no required federal protections for American marten, the state of Vermont lists it as an endangered species. Planning of the proposed action has involved coordination with Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologists and university researchers. An analysis comparing the proposed action to management guidelines for American marten in New York and Northern New England (Lambert et al. 20177) concluded that the proposed action meets the forest measures listed in the guidelines, with considerations that winter canopy closure is higher in the forests for which the guidelines were written due to a higher conifer component in those forests.

7 Lambert, J. D., Z. J. Curran, and L. R. Reitsma. 2017. Guidelines for managing American marten habitat in New York and Northern New England. High Branch Conservation Services, Hartland, VT.

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Heritage Resources Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the effect of a project on any district, site, building, structure, or object that is included in, or eligible for inclusion in the National Register. The Forest Service will submit an archaeological survey report documenting the findings that proposed activities may not affect or may not adversely affect historic properties for review to the Vermont State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and consulted tribes. All project-related fieldwork and reports will meet the standards described in the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation’s Guideline for Conducting Archeology in Vermont. Figure 18. Cellar hole Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom Wild and Scenic Rivers Although the Green Mountain National Forest does not contain any congressionally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, there are many river segments that are eligible to be further considered for addition to the National Wild and Scenic River System. These river segments and their associated corridors (one-quarter mile each side of the streambank) are within the Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers Management Area. The Forest Plan identified the Wardsboro Brook as an eligible recreational river for recreation and scenic outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs), and the Deerfield River as an eligible scenic river for hydrologic and wild ORVs. Both rivers flow through the Somerset project area. Although proposed activities are allowed within these river corridors, they must not affect the classification characteristics and ORVs for each of the identified stream segments located on federal land.

Wilderness The Wilderness Act established a National Wilderness Preservation System to be composed of federally owned land designated by Congress as “wilderness areas”. The Act provides for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character, and for gathering and dissemination of information regarding their use and enjoyment as wilderness. About 4,312 acres of the 22,425 acre Glastenbury Wilderness is in the western portion of the Somerset project area. There are no project activities proposed within the wilderness.

Wetlands Executive Order 11990 directs federal agencies to avoid to the extent possible the adverse impacts associated with the destruction or modification of wetlands, and to avoid support of new construction in wetlands wherever there is a practical alternative. Forest Plan guidelines provide protection of wetlands by limiting activities within 100 feet of wetlands and seasonal pools to those that protect, manage, and improve the condition of these resources. Acceptable activities will be approved on a case-by-case basis (Forest Plan, Chapter 2, Section 2.3.2, Soil, Water, and Riparian Area Protection and Restoration Guideline G-10, page 22).

Figure 19. Wetlands Photo Credit: Scott Wixsom

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page 31 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Appendix A1. Description of Harvest Treatment Groupings for Maps

There are seven different timber harvest treatment methods proposed for the Somerset project. Many stands have a combination of treatments proposed to achieve multiple objectives within a single stand. In these cases, there would be different portions of the same stand receiving different treatments. For example, a 60-acre stand may get a 30-acre shelterwood treatment in one part and a 30-acre group selection treatment in a different part. Given that there are seven different harvest methods proposed in 21 different combinations, they are grouped in the map legend for easier display and reading.

Table A1-1 provides the combination of harvest methods for each map legend group for Maps 2a-2d, Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Management Activities. Specific harvest treatment methods proposed for each stand are provided in Appendix A2, Table A2-1.

Table A1-1. Description of harvest treatment groupings as displayed on project maps Map Legend Group1 Silvicultural Method Group2 Harvest Method3 Even-age Regeneration Even-aged Management Clearcut Patch Cut Shelterwood Even-age Regeneration/ Even-aged Management, Shelterwood – Group Selection Uneven-age Regeneration Uneven-aged Management Shelterwood – Group Selection with Improvement Shelterwood – Improvement Cut – Group Selection Shelterwood – Single Tree Selection with Groups Even-age Regeneration/ Even-aged Management, Shelterwood – Thin – Group Selection Intermediate Treatment Intermediate Management, Uneven-aged Management Shelterwood – Thin Thin – Patch Cuts Uneven-age Regeneration Uneven-aged Management Group Selection Group Selection with Improvement Single Tree Selection Singe Tree Selection – Group Selection Single Tree Selection with Groups Single Tree Selection – Group Selection with Improvement Intermediate Treatment Intermediate Management, Thin Uneven-aged Management Thin – Group Selection Thin – Single Tree Selection Improvement Cut 1 Legend group as it appears on Maps 2a-2e, Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Management Activities 2 Indicates the silvicultural system for each combination of harvest methods 3 Displays how the 21 different combinations of harvest methods are grouped for each map legend included on Maps 2a-2e

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A1-1 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Appendix A2. Proposed Timber Treatments

This appendix provides the harvest treatment method and timber stand improvement proposed for each Compartment and Stand within the Management Areas where timber management is allowed in the Somerset project area (Tables A2-1 and A2-2).

Many stands have more than one silvicultural treatment proposed. In this case, each treatment would be implemented in different parts of the stand where conditions are found to be most appropriate. Forest inventory data is not accurate enough to draw meaningful lines between different treatment areas; this is best done when more time can be spent on the ground in each individual stand. In most cases, determining exactly where each individual treatment would occur would happen at time of timber sale layout. For this reason, approximate acres of each treatment proposed is provided, but could vary slightly during implementation.

Uneven-aged Management There are a total of 5,785 acres of uneven-aged harvest treatments proposed. An uneven-aged system is a silvicultural system designed to simultaneously maintain: a) continuous high-forest cover, b) recurring regeneration of desirable tree species, and c) orderly growth and development of trees through a range of diameter or age classes to provide a sustained yield of forest products. Cutting methods that develop and maintain uneven-aged stands are single tree selection and group selection.

• 366 acres of single tree selection would be conducted in seventeen stands. In sixteen of the stands the desired regeneration would be sugar maple, and in one stand the desired regeneration would be hemlock. Red spruce would also be promoted where it exists in these stands. This harvest method removes selected single trees and groups of several trees at a time. Basal area (BA8) would be reduced to about 70 to 80 square feet per acre. Groups could range from one quarter-acre to two- acres in size, and be applied to 10 to 20 percent of the stand area. Smaller groups would be used to promote red spruce regeneration, while larger groups would be used to increase light to the forest floor to regenerate areas dominated by diseased beech regeneration.

This treatment would produce sawtimber and pulpwood products, and reduce overall stocking of trees to appropriate levels for small amounts of sunlight to reach the forest floor. This would favor mostly regeneration of shade tolerant species of trees in the understory such as sugar maple, hemlock, spruce, and fir; and create a stand of trees of different sizes and ages. Note that in stands with high amounts of diseased beech understory, single tree selection is not an appropriate treatment as it would allow the beech to claim the site and prevent establishment of desirable shade tolerant species such as sugar maple.

• 3,342 acres of Group Selection with Improvement would be conducted in 100 stands. This harvest method removes less desirable trees of any species in a stand, primarily to improve composition and quality. Groups could range from one quarter-acre to two-acres in size, and be applied to 10 to 20 percent of the stand area. Smaller groups would be used to promote red spruce regeneration, while larger groups would be used to increase light to the forest floor to regenerate areas dominated by diseased beech regeneration.

• 2,077 acres of group selection would be conducted in 80 stands (note that this total does not include groups embedded in single tree selection or improvement treatments). With this harvest

8 The cross-section area of a tree stem including bark, in square feet, and commonly measured at breast height (4.5 feet above ground). This parameter is often used in silvicultural equations and/or models for determining growth and yield of forest stands.

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method, trees are removed and new age classes are established only in groups. Groups could range from one quarter-acre to two-acres in size, and be applied to 10 to 20 percent of the stand area. Smaller groups would be used to promote red spruce regeneration, while larger groups would be used to increase light to the forest floor to regenerate areas dominated by diseased beech regeneration.

Even-aged Management There are a total of 3,599 acres of even-aged regeneration treatments proposed. An even-aged system is a silvicultural system that produces stands in which all trees are about the same age; that is, the difference in age between trees forming the main crown canopy level will usually not exceed 20 percent of the rotation length. Intermediate treatments such as thinning and improvement are listed under even-aged management. This does not mean these stands would be required to be regenerated using even-aged methods in the future. However, the Forest Plan lists intermediate treatments as even-aged management, so they are being presented as such here to maintain consistency (Forest Plan, pages 24 and 25).

Intermediate Management There are a total of 770 acres of intermediate harvest treatments proposed. An intermediate treatment is the removal of trees from a stand sometime between the beginning of formation of the stand and the regeneration treatment to start a new stand. Types of intermediate treatments include thinning, release, and improvement.

• 761 acres of thinning would be conducted in 23 stands by removing individual trees to provide increased growing space to improve growth on retained trees and enhance forest health through salvage of some dying trees. The BA would be reduced to about 60 to 70 square feet per acre in hardwood-dominated stands, and up to about 100 to 110 square feet per acre for conifer- dominated stands.

• 9 acres of improvement would be conducted in 1 stand (note that this does not include acres that are proposed for improve with groups treatment). This harvest method removes less desirable trees of any species in a stand, primarily to improve composition and quality. The BA would be reduced to about 60 to 70 square feet per acre.

Even-aged Regeneration There are total of 2,829 acres of even-aged regeneration harvest treatments proposed. Types of treatments include shelterwood, clearcuts and patch clearcuts.

• 2,808 acres of shelterwood would be conducted in 101 stands. Some large stands would have multiple shelterwood openings implemented. As a result, there are 136 total temporary openings proposed. Shelterwood harvests regenerate low quality stands and mature stands that are declining in productivity. Shelterwood is also the preferred treatment for regenerating oak. Shelterwood treatment could include up to three separate entries: 1) an optional preparatory cut to enhance conditions for seed production, 2) an establishment cut to increase light to the forest floor, prepare the seed bed, and to create a new age class, and 3) a removal cut to release established regeneration from competition with the overstory.

The majority of shelterwood treatments in the Somerset project area would only implement the establishment cut, with the retained trees generally being wildlife trees or smaller trees that would continue to mature through the life of the new stand (silviculturally this is considered a two-aged shelterwood variant, however, the Forest Plan considers any shelterwood to be even-aged, Forest Plan, page 24). Shelterwood treatments would be separated from other even-aged regeneration

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harvest by a forested manageable stand of at least ten acres in size with trees at least 15 feet tall (Forest Plan, Chapter 2, Section 2.3.5 Openings, Guideline G-3, page 26).

• 21 acres of clearcuts/patch clearcuts would be conducted in three stands. One stand of off-site red pine would be clearcut and converted to oak/white pine. The other two stands have patches of aspen that would be regenerated through patch clearcuts of about two to five acres size each. The clearcut stands would have most trees removed, however, uncut patches totaling five percent of the harvested area would be retained (Forest Plan, Chapter 2, Section 2.3.7 Wildlife Reserve Trees - General, Standard S-1, page 27). Individual wildlife trees outside of the uncut patches would also be retained. Clearcut treatments would be separated from other even-aged regeneration harvest by a forested manageable stand of at least ten acres in size with trees at least 15 feet tall (Forest Plan, Chapter 2, Section 2.3.5 Openings, Guideline G-3, page 26).

Table A2-1. Proposed timber harvest treatments Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Compartment 84 Single Tree Selection- 8 9 Mixedwood Group Selection 6 Remote Wildlife Thin-Single Tree 9 15 Mixedwood Selection 14 Remote Wildlife 10 12 Softwood Shelterwood 10 Remote Wildlife Single Tree Selection- 11 24 Mixedwood Group Selection 15 Remote Wildlife 12 23 Hardwood Shelterwood 13 Remote Wildlife Compartment 96 Group Selection with 12 30 Mixedwood Improvement 16 Diverse Backcountry Group Selection with 13 5 Mixedwood Improvement 3 Diverse Backcountry 15 22 Mixedwood Shelterwood 19 Diverse Backcountry Thinning-Group 16 12 Softwood Selection 5 Diverse Backcountry 17 52 Mixedwood Group Selection 45 Diverse Backcountry Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 19 14 Mixedwood Improvement 6 River-Scenic, Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 33 20 Mixedwood Improvement 18 Diverse Backcountry Shelterwood- Group Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 34 49 Mixedwood Selection 33 River-Scenic (15 acres), Diverse Forest Use 35 35 Mixedwood Group Selection 33 Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 36 59 Mixedwood Group Selection 59 River-Scenic (<1 acre), Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 37 26 Mixedwood Shelterwood 26 River-Scenic (14 acres), Diverse Forest Use 38 19 Mixedwood Group Selection 17 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood; Thin- 44 62 Mixedwood Group Selection 33 Diverse Forest Use 45 8 Mixedwood Shelterwood 4 Diverse Forest Use 46 21 Mixedwood Group Selection 12 Diverse Forest Use 47 31 Mixedwood Shelterwood 20 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 51 11 Mixedwood Improvement 9 Diverse Forest Use

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Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Shelterwood- Group 52 42 Mixedwood Selection 39 Diverse Forest Use 53 13 Mixedwood Group Selection 8 Diverse Forest Use 55 18 Mixedwood Group Selection 6 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 97 9 73 Mixedwood Thin- Group Selection 46 Diverse Backcountry 10 45 Mixedwood Thin- Group Selection 36 Diverse Backcountry Shelterwood- Group 14 55 Mixedwood Selection 53 Diverse Backcountry Compartment 99 Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 1 25 N/A Permanent Opening 21 River-Scenic, Diverse Forest Use 6 24 Mixedwood Thinning 10 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood- Group Selection with 8 51 Mixedwood Improvement 43 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 10 50 Mixedwood Improvement 43 River-Scenic (6 acres), Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 12 52 Mixedwood Improvement 49 Diverse Forest Use

14 17 Mixedwood Shelterwood 17 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 15 40 Mixedwood Improvement 33 River-Scenic (<1 acre), Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood- Group Selection with 16 44 Mixedwood Improvement 44 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 18 16 Hardwood Improvement 16 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 20 35 Mixedwood Improvement 31 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 21 17 Mixedwood Improvement 13 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood- Group Selection with 27 21 Mixedwood Improvement 19 Diverse Forest Use 28 17 Mixedwood Shelterwood 14 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 29 32 Mixedwood Improvement 31 Diverse Forest Use 30 16 Mixedwood Shelterwood 11 Diverse Forest Use 31 17 Hardwood Thinning 17 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 32 12 Hardwood Improvement 11 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 33 10 Mixedwood Improvement 1 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 34 34 Mixedwood Improvement 26 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 35 31 Mixedwood Improvement 31 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 36 15 Mixedwood Improvement 14 Diverse Forest Use

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Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Permanent Opening 43 2 N/A Creation 1 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 44 42 Mixedwood Improvement 32 Diverse Forest Use Permanent Opening 47 3 N/A Creation 1 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 100 20 57 Mixedwood Group Selection 56 Remote Wildlife Compartment 101 Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Group Selection with River-Scenic (14 acres), Diverse 2 108 Mixedwood Improvement 67 Backcountry Shelterwood- Group 7 57 Mixedwood Selection 47 Diverse Backcountry Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Shelterwood- Group River-Scenic (3 acres), Diverse 10 62 Mixedwood Selection 58 Backcountry 27 86 Mixedwood Group Selection 49 Diverse Backcountry Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River-Scenic (9 acres), Diverse 33 19 Mixedwood Shelterwood 18 Backcountry Shelterwood-Single Tree Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 35 33 Mixedwood Selection with Groups 28 River-Scenic, Diverse Backcountry Compartment 102 Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Group Selection with River-Scenic, 2 70 Mixedwood Improvement 70 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood- Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 3 42 Mixedwood Improvement 42 River-Scenic (30 acres), Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 4 24 Mixedwood Shelterwood 24 River-Scenic (6 acres), Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 5 6 Mixedwood Improvement 6 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 6 50 Mixedwood Improvement 50 River-Scenic (17 acres), Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 8 34 Mixedwood Improvement 34 Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 10 78 Mixedwood Permanent Opening 58 River-Scenic (33 acres), Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 11 32 Mixedwood Thin-Group Selection 26 River-Scenic (24 acres), Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 15 80 Mixedwood Improvement 80 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 16 41 Hardwood Improvement 28 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood- Group Selection with 17 35 Mixedwood Improvement 35 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 18 43 Mixedwood Improvement 41 Diverse Forest Use 18a Aspen Patch Cut 2 Diverse Forest Use

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Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Shelterwood- Group Selection with 19 29 Mixedwood Improvement 29 Diverse Forest Use 20 22 Mixedwood Shelterwood 21 Diverse Forest Use

22 19 Mixedwood Shelterwood 7 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 25 49 Mixedwood Improvement 31 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 26 10 Mixedwood Improvement 3 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 27 13 Mixedwood Improvement 12 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 28 33 Mixedwood Improvement 25 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 103 Group Selection with 3 46 Mixedwood Improvement 45 Diverse Backcountry Shelterwood-Group Selection with 5 428 Mixedwood Improvement 394 Diverse Backcountry Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River-Scenic (19 acres), Diverse 7 26 Mixedwood Shelterwood 20 Backcountry Compartment 104 Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 5 15 Mixedwood Shelterwood 14 River-Scenic, Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 9 63 Mixedwood Improvement 52 River-Scenic (9 acres), Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 10 80 Mixedwood Improvement 80 River-Scenic (10 acres), Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 11 64 Mixedwood Thin-Patch Cuts 36 River-Scenic (8 acres), Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 11a 64 N/A Permanent Opening 28 River-Scenic (3 acres), Diverse Forest Use 12 14 Mixedwood Shelterwood 14 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 105 Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 5 15 Mixedwood Shelterwood 14 River-Scenic, Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 9 63 Mixedwood Improvement 52 River-Scenic (9 acres), Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 10 80 Mixedwood Improvement 80 River-Scenic (10 acres), Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 11 64 Mixedwood Thin-Patch Cuts 36 River-Scenic (8 acres), Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 11a 64 N/A Permanent Opening 28 River-Scenic (3 acres), Diverse Forest Use 12 14 Mixedwood Shelterwood 14 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 106 Shelterwood-Group 2 106 Mixedwood Selection 106 Remote Wildlife

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A2-6 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Shelterwood- Improvement with 3 216 Mixedwood Groups 211 Remote Wildlife Improvement with 4 167 Hardwood Groups 164 Remote Wildlife Shelterwood-Group 5 40 Mixedwood Selection 40 Remote Wildlife Compartment 108 Shelterwood-Single Tree Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 1 169 Mixedwood Selection with Groups 140 River-Scenic (76 acres), Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 5 82 Mixedwood Improvement 81 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 7 19 Mixedwood Improvement 18 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 8 23 Mixedwood Improvement 22 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 9 29 Mixedwood Improvement 29 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 10 33 Mixedwood Improvement 33 Diverse Forest Use 11 28 Mixedwood Shelterwood 28 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 12 130 Mixedwood Improvement 120 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 13 27 Mixedwood Improvement 27 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 14 123 Mixedwood Improvement 93 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 15 16 Hardwood Improvement 16 Diverse Forest Use 16 19 Mixedwood Shelterwood 19 Diverse Forest Use 23 22 Mixedwood Single Tree with Groups 22 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 24 19 Mixedwood Improvement 19 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with Diverse Forest Use, Diverse Backcountry 26 146 Mixedwood Improvement 73 (4 acres) Permanent Opening 26a N/A Creation 20 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 29 18 Mixedwood Improvement 16 River-Scenic, Diverse Forest Use 34 12 Mixedwood Group Selection 12 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 35 21 Mixedwood Improvement 21 Diverse Forest Use 36 44 Mixedwood Group Selection 43 Diverse Forest Use 37 4 Mixedwood Shelterwood 4 Diverse Forest Use 38 20 Mixedwood Shelterwood 19 Diverse Forest Use 39 20 Mixedwood Shelterwood 8 Diverse Forest Use 40 66 Mixedwood Group Selection 27 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 41 52 Hardwood Improvement 52 Diverse Forest Use

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A2-7 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area 42 29 Mixedwood Group Selection 29 Diverse Forest Use 43 13 Mixedwood Group Selection 13 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 109 Shelterwood - Thin - 7 96 Mixedwood Group Selection 72 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 12 39 Mixedwood Improvement 38 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 16 32 Mixedwood Improvement 18 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 31 20 Mixedwood Improvement 11 Diverse Forest Use 32 54 Mixedwood Thin - Group Selection 32 Diverse Forest Use 33 39 Mixedwood Shelterwood 17 Diverse Forest Use 45a 29 N/A Permanent Opening 23 Diverse Forest Use 45b 29 Hardwood Group Selection 3 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 46 18 Mixedwood Improvement 9 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood - Thin - 49 117 Mixedwood Group Selection 81 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 111 Shelterwood-Group 1 51 Mixedwood Selection 46 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 2 62 Mixedwood Improvement 53 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 3 11 Mixedwood Improvement 9 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 5 38 Mixedwood Improvement 33 Diverse Forest Use 6 23 Mixedwood Shelterwood 18 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group 9 115 Mixedwood Selection 97 Diverse Forest Use 11 39 Hardwood Single Tree with Groups 37 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group 12 75 Mixedwood Selection 69 Diverse Forest Use 13 32 Mixedwood Group Selection 32 Diverse Forest Use 15 18 Mixedwood Shelterwood 17 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 17 13 Mixedwood Improvement 13 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group 18 66 Mixedwood Selection 66 Diverse Forest Use 19 110 Hardwood Group Selection 110 Diverse Forest Use 20 23 Hardwood Group Selection 23 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group 22 59 Mixedwood Selection 57 Diverse Forest Use 23 52 Mixedwood Group Selection 52 Diverse Forest Use Single Tree-Group Selection with 24 72 Hardwood Improvement 72 Diverse Forest Use

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A2-8 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Shelterwood-Group Selection with 25 58 Hardwood Improvement 52 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 26 14 Softwood Improvement 14 Diverse Forest Use Permanent Opening 29 12 N/A Expansion 12 Diverse Forest Use Permanent Opening 30a 35 N/A Expansion 16 Diverse Forest Use 30b 35 Mixedwood Shelterwood 18 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Improve 31 26 Mixedwood Cut with Groups 20 Diverse Forest Use 34 9 Mixedwood Shelterwood 6 Diverse Forest Use 49 16 Mixedwood Shelterwood 15 Diverse Forest Use 52 9 Mixedwood Shelterwood 4 Diverse Forest Use 53 16 Mixedwood Group Selection 11 Diverse Forest Use 55 15 Mixedwood Group Selection 15 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 56 5 Mixedwood Improvement 3 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group 61 49 Mixedwood Selection 47 Diverse Forest Use 66 18 Mixedwood Group Selection 12 Diverse Forest Use 68 13 Mixedwood Shelterwood 13 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 70 37 Softwood Improvement 20 Diverse Forest Use 76 22 Mixedwood Group Selection 19 Diverse Forest Use 82 5 Mixedwood Single Tree Selection 4 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 112 Group Selection with 2 10 Hardwood Improvement 10 Diverse Forest Use 4 35 Hardwood Group Selection 35 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 13 154 Hardwood Improvement 153 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group 14 76 Mixedwood Selection 75 Diverse Forest Use 15 38 Mixedwood Group Selection 38 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 18 27 Hardwood Improvement 27 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 23 85 Hardwood Improvement 85 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 25 46 Hardwood Improvement 46 Diverse Forest Use 26 9 Hardwood Improvement Cut 9 Diverse Forest Use 27 51 Mixedwood Group Selection 51 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 30 19 Hardwood Improvement 19 Diverse Forest Use 34 11 Mixedwood Shelterwood 10 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 113 Shelterwood-Group 2 33 Mixedwood Selection 30 Diverse Forest Use

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A2-9 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Single Tree Selection- 3 38 Hardwood Group Selection 36 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 4 13 Mixedwood Improvement 13 Diverse Forest Use 5 45 Mixedwood Shelterwood 27 Diverse Forest Use Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 6 50 Hardwood Group Selection 48 River-Scenic (6 acres), Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 8 16 Hardwood Improvement 16 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 116 Single Tree Selection 1 24 Hardwood with Groups 22 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 2 63 Hardwood Improvement 63 Diverse Forest Use 3 22 Mixedwood Shelterwood 22 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 4 24 Mixedwood Improvement 22 Diverse Forest Use 5 9 Oak/Pine Clearcut 9 Diverse Forest Use 6 42 Mixedwood Group Selection 42 Diverse Forest Use 7 38 Hardwood Group Selection 38 Diverse Forest Use Single Tree Selection 8 27 Hardwood with Groups 27 Diverse Forest Use 9 31 Mixedwood Group Selection 22 Diverse Forest Use 12 12 Mixedwood Shelterwood 5 Diverse Forest Use 13 35 Mixedwood Shelterwood 12 Diverse Forest Use 14 36 Mixedwood Group Selection 12 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 16 19 Hardwood Improvement 19 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 17 14 Hardwood Improvement 14 Diverse Forest Use Single Tree Selection 18 48 Hardwood with Groups 40 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 118 Shelterwood-Group Selection with 3 156 Mixedwood Improvement 154 Diverse Forest Use 6 96 Hardwood/Oak Thin 68 Diverse Forest Use 8 43 Mixedwood Group Selection 43 Diverse Forest Use 10 65 Mixedwood Group Selection 65 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group 10a 38 Mixedwood Selection 38 Diverse Forest Use 14 64 Mixedwood Thin-Group Selection 60 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 150 2 31 Mixedwood Thin 30 Diverse Forest Use 3 21 Mixedwood Shelterwood 21 Diverse Forest Use 9 39 Mixedwood Group Selection 29 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 10 111 Mixedwood Improvement 81 Diverse Forest Use 11 23 Mixedwood Shelterwood 18 Diverse Forest Use

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A2-10 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Group Selection with 12 56 Mixedwood Improvement 51 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group 18 47 Mixedwood Selection 39 Diverse Forest Use Permanent Opening 19 18 N/A Expansion 14 Diverse Forest Use 21 21 Mixedwood Group Selection 20 Diverse Forest Use Permanent Opening 23 31 N/A Expansion 30 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 24 57 Mixedwood Improvement 31 Diverse Forest Use 25 22 Mixedwood Shelterwood 13 Diverse Forest Use 28 15 Softwood Shelterwood 8 Diverse Forest Use 32 22 Mixedwood Thin-Group Selection 11 Diverse Forest Use 35 37 Mixedwood Shelterwood 21 Diverse Forest Use 36 38 Mixedwood Group Selection 37 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 37 13 Mixedwood Improvement 12 Diverse Forest Use Compartment 176 4 32 Mixedwood Group Selection 19 Remote Wildlife 5 160 Mixedwood Shelterwood-Thin 157 Remote Wildlife 8 12 Mixedwood Thin 12 Remote Wildlife Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Shelterwood-Thin-Group River-Recreational (36 acres), Remote 9 171 Softwood Selection 146 Wildlife Permanent Opening 10a N/A Expansion 22 Remote Wildlife Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Shelterwood-Group River-Recreational (6 acres), Remote 10b 54 Oak/Mixedwood Selection 31 Wildlife 11 21 Mixedwood Shelterwood 21 Remote Wildlife 12 98 Mixedwood Group Selection 95 Remote Wildlife Shelterwood-Improve 13 25 Hardwood Cut-Group Selection 25 Remote Wildlife Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Shelterwood-Group River-Recreational (28 acres), Remote 14 43 Mixedwood Selection 43 Wildlife Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational 15 47 Softwood Single Tree Selection 24 River-Recreational, Remote Wildlife Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River-Recreational, 16 23 Mixedwood Group Selection 23 Remote Wildlife Shelterwood-Group Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Selection with River-Recreational (20 acres), Remote 18 34 Mixedwood Improvement 26 Wildlife Shelterwood-Group Selection with 19 72 Mixedwood Improvement 55 Remote Wildlife Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Shelterwood-Thin-Group River-Recreational (<1 acre), Remote 21 88 Mixedwood Selection 73 Wildlife 27 10 Mixedwood Group Selection 8 Remote Wildlife

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A2-11 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Forest Harvest Stand Acres Type Goal Harvest Method Acres Management Area Shelterwood-Group 28 117 Mixedwood Selection 75 Remote Wildlife Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River-Recreational (19 acres), Remote 31 188 Mixedwood Group Selection 185 Wildlife 32 17 Mixedwood Thin 16 Remote Wildlife 37 66 Mixedwood Thin-Group Selection 41 Remote Wildlife Compartment 183 Shelterwood-Group Selection with 1 76 Oak/Hardwood Improvement 75 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 2 50 Oak/Mixedwood Improvement 50 Diverse Forest Use Single Tree Selection 3 23 Hardwood with Groups 23 Diverse Forest Use Single Tree Selection 4 12 Mixedwood with Groups 12 Diverse Forest Use Single Tree Selection 5 37 Mixedwood with Groups 33 Diverse Forest Use 6 21 Mixedwood Thin-Group Selection 18 Diverse Forest Use 7 21 Oak/Hardwood Shelterwood 21 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 8 35 Hardwood Improvement 35 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 9 56 Mixedwood Improvement 56 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 10 23 Oak/Mixedwood Improvement 23 Diverse Forest Use Group Selection with 11 22 Mixedwood Improvement 22 Diverse Forest Use Shelterwood-Group Selection with 12 13 Oak/Mixedwood Improvement 12 Diverse Forest Use Total Stand Acres: 11,122 Total Harvest Acres: 9,630

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A2-12 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Table A2-2. Proposed timber stand improvement Compartment 96

Stand Treatment Acres Forest Type Treatment Method

22 41 Hardwood Crop tree release 24 49 Hardwood Crop tree release 28 31 Hardwood Crop tree release 30 25 Hardwood Crop tree release Compartment 99 22 27 Hardwood Crop tree release 23 17 Softwood Crop tree release 24 29 Hardwood Crop tree release 37 13 Hardwood Crop tree release 38 15 Hardwood Crop tree release Compartment 101 9 22 Hardwood Crop tree release Compartment 105 3 16 Hardwood Crop tree release Compartment 108 3 13 Hardwood Crop tree release 4 31 Hardwood Crop tree release Compartment 112 12 24 Hardwood Crop tree release Compartment 118 1 23 Hardwood Crop tree release 4 11 Hardwood Crop tree release 9 26 Hardwood Crop tree release Total acres 413

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A2-13 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Appendix A3. Proposed Wildlife Habitat Treatments

This appendix displays proposed non-timber harvest treatments that primarily benefit wildlife habitat in the Somerset project area.

New and Expanded Permanent Upland Openings (Land Clearing and Maintenance) Proposed land clearing to create new or expand existing permanent upland openings, and conduct periodic maintenance as needed over a 10-year period to retain early successional habitat conditions (see Table A3-1; also included in Table A2-1: Proposed Timber Treatments). Maintenance would be conducted by mechanical mowing or mastication; cutting with chainsaws, brush saws, or hand tools; prescribed burning; or a combination of these treatment methods.

Table A3-1. Proposed maintenance of new permanent and expansion of upland openings Compartment Stand Acres Treatment Acres Additional Information 99 1 25 21 Create upland opening 99 43 2 1 Create upland opening 99 47 3 1 Create upland opening 102 10 78 58 Create upland opening 104 11a 64 28 Create upland opening 108 26a 146 20 Create upland opening 109 45 29 23 Create upland opening 111 29 12 12 Expansion of existing upland opening 111 30a 35 16 Expansion of existing upland opening 150 19 18 14 Expansion of existing upland opening 150 23 31 30 Expansion of existing upland opening 176 10a 54 22 Expansion of existing upland opening Total Acres 441 246

Existing Permanent Upland Opening Maintenance Conduct periodic maintenance of existing permanent upland openings as needed over a 10-year period to retain early successional habitat conditions (see Table A3-2). Maintenance would be conducted by mechanical mowing or mastication; cutting with chainsaws, brush saws, or hand tools; prescribed burning; or a combination of these treatment methods.

Table A3-2. Proposed maintenance of existing permanent upland openings Compartment Stand Treatment Acres 93 107 25 99 107 2 99 108 1 103 101 12 103 103 2 103 106 7 104 101 21 104 102 23 104 103 15 104 104 9 108 104 5 108 105 50

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A3-1 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Compartment Stand Treatment Acres 108 110 6 109 103 8 109 108 67 110 106 7 110 119 4 111 109 53 111 127 1 111 128 10 118 101 5 146 101 5 150 101 3 150 104 15 150 109 2 176 102 4 176 103 11 176 104 49 Total Treatment Acres 422

Maintain Apple Trees Release and prune apple trees throughout the project area (see Table A3-3). Maintain groups and individual apple trees by hand pruning branches and/or cutting woody vegetation to release them to open sunlight.

Table A3-3. Proposed release and pruning of apple trees Compartment Stand Total Acres Treatment Acres 84 10 12 2 99 47 3 2 102 10 78 2 102 107 4 2 104 11 64 2 104 102 23 2 104 103 15 2 108 29 18 2 108 104 5 2 Total Treatment Acres 18

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page A3-2 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Appendix B. Existing National Forest Transportation System

Table B1-1 provides the existing National Forest Transportation System within the Somerset project area by maintenance level.

Road Operational Maintenance Level Descriptions

Maintenance Level 1 (OML 1). Assigned to intermittent service roads during the time they are closed to vehicular traffic. Basic custodial maintenance is performed to keep damage to adjacent resources to an acceptable level. Emphasis is normally given to maintaining drainage facilities and runoff patterns. Maintenance Level 2 (OML 2). Assigned to roads open for use by high clearance vehicles. Passenger car traffic is not a consideration. Traffic is normally minor, usually consisting of one or a combination of administrative, permitted, dispersed recreation, or other specialized uses. Maintenance Level 3 (OML 3). Assigned to roads open and maintained for travel by a prudent driver in a standard passenger car. User comfort and convenience are not considered priorities. Roads are typically low speed, single lane with turnouts and spot surfacing or fully surfaced with either native or processed material. Maintenance Level 4 (OML 4). Assigned to roads that provide a moderate degree of user comfort and convenience at moderate travel speeds. Most roads are double lane and aggregate surfaced. Some roads may be single lane and some may be paved and/or dust abated. Maintenance Level 5 (OML 5). Assigned to roads that provide a high degree of user comfort and convenience. These roads are normally double lane, paved facilities. Some may be aggregate surfaced and dust abated.

Table B1-1. Existing National Forest Transportation System by maintenance level Beginning Ending Length Road No. Road Name Mile Post Mile Post in Miles OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE LEVEL 1 72A Red Mill Spur 0 0.304 0.30 72C Red Mill Spur 0 0.263 0.26 84 Somerset South 0 0.37 0.37 268 Heather Brook 0.9 2.11 1.21 272 Pine Valley 0 1.23 1.23 324 Glastenbury River 0 0.3 0.30 325 Castle Brook 6.8 8.2 1.40 325A Castle Brook Spur 0 0.1 0.10 325B Castle Brook Spur 0 0.6 0.60 326 Rake Branch 0 0.68 0.68 328 Short Stretch 0 0.58 0.58 332 Billings Pond 0 0.36 0.36 339 Railroad Grade 0 0.7 0.70 340 Shep Meadow 0 0.1 0.10 371 Deer Cabin Brook 0 1.6 1.60 372 Deer Lick Brook 0 0.8 0.80

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page B-1 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment Green Mountain National Forest – Manchester Ranger District

Beginning Ending Length Road No. Road Name Mile Post Mile Post in Miles 373 Blind Brook 0 1.9 1.90 373A Blind Brook Spur 0 0.5 0.50 374 Nichols Camp 0 0.4 0.40 375 Kid Gore 0 0.7 0.70 376 Castle Meadow 0 1.5 1.50 383 Stratton Mountain Camp 0 1.5 1.50 384 South Black Brook 0 0.6 0.60 Total for OML 1 Miles 17.70 OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE LEVEL 2 86 Smith Woods 0 0.96 0.96 268 Heather Brook 0 0.9 0.90 275 Little Pond 0 1.6 1.60 325 Castle Brook 0 6.8 6.80 Total for OML 2 Miles 10.26 OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE LEVEL 3 72 Red Mill 0 0.83 0.83 83 Flood Dam 0 1.3 1.30 290 Pine Valley Parking 0 0.1 0.10 386 Kelley Stand East Parking 0 0.14 0.14 Total for OML 3 Miles 2.37 OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE LEVEL 4 71 Somerset 6.16 14.85 8.69 Total for OML 4 Miles 8.69 Grand Total Road Miles 39.02

Somerset Integrated Resource Project Page B-2 Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment